Getting it right for children and young people: Overcoming cultural barriers in the NHS so as to meet their needs

Title: Getting it right for children and young people:  Overcoming cultural barriers in the NHS so as to meet their needs

Date: September 2010

Author: Sir Ian Kennedy

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_119445

Description of resource: This thoughtful analysis of culture and challenge for children in the NHS was commissioned by the Department of Health in autumn 2009.  It provides a general overview of challenges for children but uses disabled children a number of times as an exemplar.  While the report's recommendations were written as the government changed there are a number of recommendations which can be mapped onto the current landscape.

A bit more about it:

  • There is a useful executive summary;
  • There is a wealth of information on data/children and the NHS which remains useful;
  • The key issues picked up around networks, collaboration and partnership are central to the successful development of disabled children's services; and
  • There is an interesting analysis on issues around transition to adulthood

Key points in relation to principles:

  • The report makes a strong case for partnership with parents and children, and between professionals to be seen as central to everything we do;
  • The report is clear about the importance of workforce development and ensuring that specific skills in relation to children and families are central; and
  • A key challenge in the report is identified as leadership